Scott Air Force Base civilian employees brace for furloughs

SHILOH, Ill. (KSDK) - Some employees at Scott Air Force Base are bracing for a huge hit to their paychecks.

Mandatory furloughs were delayed, but are still scheduled to take effect soon.

Around 4,500 civilian employees at the base are in limbo and they are making drastic changes to their lives as a precaution.

TJ Miles, a safety technician with the US Air Force, relies on his sole income to take care of his family. He takes care of his 20-year-old son, his 15-year-old daughter, and his disabled mother.

Right now, Miles is bracing for one forced day off a week for the next five months which amounts to a 20 percent cut to his paycheck.

"We are going to have to put my oldest son's college on hold for probably a semester. We are going to have to make drastic cuts. There isn't going to be any extracurricular activities and some bills will not get paid," said Miles.

Miles says he is planning on picking up a part-time job on the weekends to compensate for the loss.

Sharon Bruscato, a secretary with the communication group at Scott Air Force Base, says the furloughs don't only put a strain on her income, but also crush her dreams of becoming a social worker.

"At one point I was planning on completing my college degree, now I have to put that on hold because my first concern is getting my daughter into a college," said Bruscato.

She says she is hoping for some resolution.

If no action is taken, the furloughs will take affect by the end of April or the Beginning of May.

Scott Air Force Base is offering services including financial education and counseling to those who will be affected by the furloughs.